Chapter 514

Chapter 514
## Chapter 514. Into the Darkness (9)

—

Just as anticipated, the moment the **Hon-won-sin-bi-geom-beop** was abandoned, the intensity of our pursuers dropped drastically. Though a couple of bands still trailed us, their ranks were either fewer than our own or consisted of a disorganized rabble; they ultimately redirected their path after evaluating our formidable presence. Traversing several caverns in this manner, we completely shook off anyone seeking the legendary manual of the **Sword Zenith**. The wanderers we cross paths with along the tunnels chose to step back cautiously to avert a bloody dispute, allowing us to advance effortlessly for the time being.

It was only when we crossed into a particular hollow that I gradually brought my feet to a halt.

“Have your energies waned?”

I offered a quiet shake of my head in response to the inquiry from **Dang-seo-hee**. She elegantly tucked both hands into her flowing sleeves after sheathed her middle-sword. It was a stance that meant she was preparing her primary talent, hidden projectiles.

*‘Her perception is truly remarkable.’*

Without a single syllable from my lips, she instantly divined the impending situation.

*Vwooom*—

I pivoted my frame as a distinct shudder rippled through the **Jeok-bong-hwan** bound to my wrist. Halting the rest of the companions at the front, I advanced solo toward five figures from the **Huk-do**, each of whom immediately rested a palm against their hilts.

“What business brings you here?”

“There is a matter I wish to clarify.”

“Speak it.”

“By any chance, have you crossed paths with the members of the Moyong Clan?”

“The Moyong Clan? Who can say. Even if our paths crossed, I fail to see any benefit in sharing that with you.”

A fellow bearing a jagged scar across his cheek let out a mocking laugh. The twitching of his mouth proved immensely grating.

“That demeanor of yours does not sit well with me.”

“*Uh*?”

[**Baek-wol-je-cheon-sam-sik**]

[First Form]

[**Geuk-kwae** (Extreme Speed)]

It was only after the **Jeok-gwang-geom**, unleashed without warning, completed its arc that the scarred man registered the lethal peril.

*Swaaaa-ek*—

The realization dawned upon him only when his severed skull had already hit the stone floor.

“You absolute maniac……!!”

“Wh—what just happened!”

The remaining quartet of the **Huk-do** frantically unsheathed their blades and sabers, blanketing them in protective qi. As their turbulent, overflowing internal reserve erupted violently, a suffocating, heavy pressure enveloped the narrow cavern.

“Wa—wait!!!”

Positioned beside the fallen torso of the scarred man, a fellow sporting a ponytail desperately thrust his hand outward. It was a frantic effort to halt our advance.

“Wh—what is the meaning of this. What on earth……”

His tone was entirely unraveled by tremors. I cast a cold gaze down at the head of the scarred warrior, who had perished with the edges of his lips upturned in that final smirk.

“That is precisely why you should have refrained from such an unfortunate sneer.”

“Su—surely, you didn’t execute him solely for that reason?”

“It would have served you better to answer me promptly.”

“Are you not **Jin-so-un** of the renowned **Tae-eul Gate**?”

“Supposing I am?”

The man with the ponytail stammered out his words with an expression of pure bewilderment.

“Do you not possess deep ties with the **Sa-huk Alliance**……! And yet, to act in this manner defies all reas……!”

“In what way does it defy reason?”

Faced with my retort, the ponytail-wearing martial artist looked utterly blank.

“I hold no allegiance whatsoever to the **Sa-huk Alliance**. Or does the Demonic Cult truly believe I am counted among the **Huk-do**?”

For a fleeting second, a look of profound consternation washed over the man’s features before he masked it.

“Wh—what nonsense are you spouting? The Demonic Cult!”

“Is that not the case?”

“Most certainly not!”

If that were the truth, then why did the **Jeok-bong-hwan** continue to vibrate relentlessly, signaling to me that these individuals were corrupted demonic humans?

“*Mmm*, quite so. What of it?”

“What do you mean, what of it……”

“I simply struck because his attitude displeased me, is there some grievance?”

“Wa—wait, I shall speak! The place where I observed the Moyong Clan……”

“Unnecessary. I have already gleaned their whereabouts.”

“……You unhinged lunatic.”

The warrior lunged with his long sword, driving a fierce thrust toward a fatal meridian. I instantly deployed the intricate patterns of the **Ssang-cheon-geom-gyeol** (Twin Heavens Sword Formula) to parry his assault, while simultaneously discharging the **Mu-eum-cheong-su-in** (Soundless Clear Water Seal).

*Puk*—

The precise instant the **Mu-eum-cheong-su-in** penetrated the narrow seam between the deceptive illusionary blades and diagrams, it slammed directly into his frame. Sensing an ominous shift, the fellow desperately retreated. His allies charged forward to assist, but the disciples of the **Yoseong-dang** were hardly passive observers.

*Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud*—

*Clang-clang-clang-clang*—

Confronted by an overwhelming onslaught of martial dominance, the adversaries fought back until their final breaths but ultimately succumbed. The man with the ponytail began to freeze solid, his eyes wide as he watched his comrades perish ahead of him.

“Madman, if the **Sa-huk Alliance**…… catches wind of this……”

I closed the distance between us and murmured softly into his ear.

“You would delight in seeing the Murim Alliance and the **Sa-huk Alliance** tear each other to pieces, wouldn’t you? Precisely like the schemes your brethren orchestrated here?”

“……Unhinged bastard. ……You are gripped by a delusion or have truly lost your wits……”

“However, you see, things will scarcely unfold according to your grand designs in this place. For I intend to entirely dismantle your machinations.”

The corners of my lips curved upward as I studied the despair taking root on his face.

“Just to ensure that bastard **Soma** has a thoroughly miserable time.”

“……!”

In a flash, the ponytail man’s irises bled into an absolute ink-black. A foul, heavy demonic qi emanated from his frame, and the encroaching rime of frost began to recede ever so slightly.

“If you intend to maintain the facade, you ought to have seen it through to the end, you foolish wretch.”

I struck his skull with an additional concentration of the **Mu-eum-cheong-su-in**.

“*Keugh*!”

With the volatile demonic qi and the biting cold qi thrown completely out of their precarious equilibrium, the warrior spewed forth a torrent of dark blood.

*Swaaaaa*—

Concurrently, the frost locked down upon his physical form with a swifter, more absolute chill. Turing away from the frozen remains, **Il-gak** stepped up to my flank.

“**Jin Siju**…… by what method did you unmask their true nature?”

It was clear he found it extraordinary how I had laid bare the identities of these individuals when nothing on the surface betrayed them. However, since the absolute truth could not be shared, I offered a casual pretext.

“A pair of them donned the formal vestments of the **Huk-sa-bang**, yet one among them bore the hidden emblem of a demonic faction. Even within the common factions of the **Huk-do**, such groups are blood enemies, yet there they were, conversing like old friends.”

“*Heh*……. Try as I might, I discerned nothing of the sort.”

To escape the intense, admiring gaze of **Il-gak**, I began searching through their discarded possessions. No specific token that could be definitively linked to the Demonic Cult surfaced.

“Let us move out.”

The very entities that had brought such ruin to my previous existence—now, I was the one pursuing them.

*‘**Soma**…….’*

The dark thrill born of the hunt refused to fade quickly.

To the mind of **Do-gwang-su**, **Jin-so-un** was nothing short of a madman. That was because if someone was a practitioner of the martial path…… no, if someone merely possessed basic sanity, they would never speak of committing the authentic manuscript of the **Hon-won-sin-bi-geom-beop** to the flames. Conversely, a small part of him had felt a modicum of relief. Even though destroying the original text of the **Hon-won-sin-bi-geom-beop** was an immense tragedy, he understood perfectly well that survival in these dire straits required one not to be shackled by material greed. Moreover, he had already successfully committed the entirety of the **Hon-won-sin-bi-geom-beop** to memory. If the physical text ceased to exist, it actually worked out in his favor.

Regrettably, that sense of relief proved short-lived.

“Engaging.”

“???”

Without warning, he would ambush groups that were simply resting and extinguish their lives.

“Moving through.”

“???”

On other occasions, he would completely ignore those displaying blatant hostility and press forward. There were moments he launched an assault against a large gathering, and moments he paid no heed to smaller numbers. He struck down those who bore the hallmarks of the **Baek-do**, while distributing some manner of medicinal pellet to those who seemed to belong to the **Huk-do**.

“**Great Hero Jin**…… what exactly is that medicine you are dispensing……”

Because the item being distributed was so peculiar, he couldn’t help but ask.

“A toxic vapor permeates the depths of this Sword Tomb, and this serves as a counteragent.”

“!!!”

Poison—how had he managed to remain entirely oblivious to it until this very moment? Given that a master of the prestigious Dang Clan walked right beside them, the claim carried absolute weight.

“Wh—why do you withhold it from me?”

“You? I am unsure. There is no necessity for you to ingest it.”

*‘This absolute lunatic…….’*

An unspoken imprecation naturally welled up inside him at **Jin-so-un**’s utterly indifferent conduct.

“You just cursed me in your thoughts, did you not?”

“……How—how could I ever dream of doing so toward a Great Hero.”

How could his instincts possibly be so alarmingly sharp? It was impossible to lower one’s guard around him.

“Ma—may I inquire as to what standard you use to choose your battles?”

“*Mmm*. Draw near.”

**Jin-so-un** signaled with his hand while scrutinizing a fresh corpse.

“Do you observe this?”

“Yes? What manner of…… *hieek*!”

Fixing his gaze upon the face of the deceased that **Jin-so-un** was indicating, **Do-gwang-su** recoiled in sheer horror. The irises of the corpse had transformed into an absolute, abyssal black, as though dark ink had saturated the eyes entirely, leaving no trace of white.

“This is an entity known as a demonic human.”

“A de—demonic human……?”

With a single glance, it was obvious that this abomination was forged through the dark arts of unorthodox paths. A demonic human…….

“Could it be…… are you referencing the Demonic Cult?”

“Indeed.”

“*Uh-hat*!”

An involuntary laugh escaped **Do-gwang-su**’s throat. Yet, the laughter died awkwardly when he noted that **Jin-so-un**’s expression remained entirely stoic.

“Did they not completely disappear half a millennium ago?”

“They did not vanish from existence. They merely retreated into the shadows.”

“……”

Just as he prepared to argue that such a claim was a wild, illogical leap.

*‘……Reflecting upon it now.’*

The memory of the absolute ‘monstrosity’ that had materialized when his previous faction was wiped out flashed through his mind. He had initially assumed it was some twisted beast native to the massive labyrinth of the Sword Tomb, but the realization hit him that it might have been something far worse.

“Tha—Great Hero……”

**Do-gwang-su** attempted to convey what he had witnessed immediately, but **Jin-so-un** quickly raised a solitary finger to his own lips. In that same heartbeat, **Il-gak** and **Dang-seo-hee** assumed their respective combat stances. Before long, a force numbering nearly twenty individuals materialized within the hollow. Every single one of them emanated an incredibly potent pressure.

*‘Please let it be…….’*

He offered a silent, desperate plea that the command ‘Moving through’ would fall from **Jin-so-un**’s lips, but.

“Strike.”

With that singular, brief command from **Jin-so-un**, **Do-gwang-su**’s existence was once more plunged into mortal peril.

*‘Observe these wretched fools.’*

The adversaries he had encountered along the tunnels up to this point had exerted immense effort to mask their true nature, attempting to deceive their foes. Some only unveiled their dark lineage at the precipice of death, while others were dispatched with relative ease precisely because they chose to hide their identities to the bitter end. However, the contingent that confronted them now was entirely distinct.

*Gree-gree-gree-gree-gree*—

Leaving aside the reality that the vibration of the **Jeok-bong-hwan** had grown so violent it felt as though the artifact might shatter under the strain. The enemies themselves possessed zero desire to conceal what they were.

“*Heup*!”

**Nam-hwa-seong** let out a sharp, high-pitched cry, and the brilliant golden radiance of the **Yeok-geun-gyeong** (Muscle Changing Classic) flowed into the pressed palms of **Il-gak**’s meditative stance.

“……Everyone maintain absolute vigilance.”

Discerning the extreme danger of the situation, **Dang-seo-hee** offered her own grim counsel. And then—

*Crack*—

I funneled a massive reservoir of inner force into my legs, lunged off the stone floor, and hurled myself forward.

*Vwooom*—

The intricate patterns of the **Ssang-cheon-geom-gyeol** infused with highly condensed sword-qi were unleashed into the air.

*Chrarararara*—

Phantasmal blades and shifting sword strikes left an infinite sequence of traces in the empty air, casting a brilliant light through the dark recesses of the cavern.

*Thump*—

A dark, oppressive energy similarly erupted from our opponents. A sickening, vile demonic qi that caused the skin to crawl. The exact instant the pure force of the **Tae-eul-jin-gyeong** (Tae-eul True Classic) slammed into that dark malice.

*Pop-pop-pop-pop-pop*—

Accompanied by a colossal detonation, the shockwave rippled out wildly in every direction. And true to form, the adversaries surged straight through the heart of the blast, entirely unfazed by the concussive force.

[**Baek-wol-je-cheon-sam-sik**]

[First Form]

[**Geuk-kwae**]

A pristine line of force tore through the very fabric of space, carving through the lingering dust of the explosion and the residual smell of sword-qi.

*Swaaaa-ek*—

Following the whistling sound of displaced air that echoed a moment later, the silhouettes of the demonic humans were cleaved cleanly in two.

——–!

The corrupted warriors collapsed to the earth, spraying dark blood in a chorus of silent agonized screams. An even more violent wave of demonic qi erupted from the survivors, and their movements accelerated exponentially.

“Have you grown weary of maintaining your masquerade?”

“……”

A cold blade thrust straight toward me, offering no reply to my mockery. It was the exact bloodthirsty, lethal, and provocative pressure that had haunted me in my past life. In that previous existence, the solitary technique I possessed to counter such an existential threat was the basic **So-cheon-geom-beop**, but now—

“The circumstances have changed drastically.”

*Fwoosh*—

The devastating flame of the **Seong-hwa-myeol-ma-su** (Holy Fire Demon-Slaying Hand) burst forth, rupturing right through the center of a demonic human’s torso.

“*Keugh*!”

The corrupted creature writhed under the agony of the consuming fire and collapsed to the stone floor, the brilliant demonic-purging flames illuminating the dim cavern like a beacon.

*Shoo-shoo-shoo-shoo-shoot*—

A spray of fine silver powder erupted from the palms of **Dang-seo-hee**, and the forms of the demonic humans who were in the midst of swinging their weapons seized up instantly, as though snared in an invisible web.

*Ske-gek*—

As her slender fingers moved with the precision of a musician plucking strings against the empty air.

*Gree-ik*—

The paralyzed bodies of the demonic humans began to separate limb from limb, one after another.

*Ske-gong*—

**Dang-seo-hee**, having dismantled her foes with supernatural artistry, did not retreat from the oncoming horde but instead bounded a step further into the fray. Her advance was so ferocious that the demonic humans charging forward with billowing dark qi actually hesitated, instinctively shifting into a defensive posture. If one were to wonder if the remaining allies were struggling, that was hardly the case either.

*Vwooom*—

A majestic golden palm imprint shattered the air from the hand of **Il-gak**, who spearheaded the **Baek-ho** formation alongside the stalwart **Geum-pyo**. The adversaries caught within the path of that colossal strike, reminiscent of the divine palm of Buddha, were utterly pulverized by the immense pressure, meeting a demise more brutal than any other. **Geum-pyo** anchored his massive shield firmly against the entities radiating demonic malice, while **Ya-yul-geuk** and **Nam-hwa-seong** exploited the resulting opening to execute swift thrusts. The solitary vulnerability in our ranks was **Do-gwang-su**, but there was simply no mental space to worry about him, as he had long since dove into a shadowy recess the moment the melee commenced.

*Ske-gek*—

Yet another demonic human crashed down like a marionette with its threads severed by the gleaming edge of the **Jeok-gwang-geom**.

“The Heavenly Demon……”

I seized the dying warrior roughly by his collar before he could complete his utterance.

“Do not hurry through the gates of the underworld; linger there a brief while, for I shall soon dispatch that entity you call the Heavenly Demon to join you.”

“……How dare an insignificant……”

The corrupted martial artist could not voice another word. The swift edge of the **Seung-cheon-geom** (Ascending Heaven Sword) swept across his throat, converting him into a wandering ghost.

*Chak*—

With a sharp flick of both the **Jeok-gwang-geom** and the **Seung-cheon-geom**, the accumulated crimson residue was cast off completely. As I calmly returned the twin blades to their sheaths, the final remnants of the demonic humans were thoroughly eliminated by the others.

“It feels as though their offensives are steadily mounting in severity.”

“They will only grow more relentless from this point forward.”

Now that they have realized we are systematically purging their demonic humans, they will hardly sit idly by. It is of no consequence. If they send greater numbers, I shall simply slaughter more.

“Do you find this arduous path distasteful?”

When I posed the question with a subtle grin, **Dang-seo-hee** studied my countenance for a brief moment before tightly balling her hand into a fist.

“……If that is to be our reality, you must grant me far more frequent interludes to enjoy my snacks.”

I lightly patted her head as a silent gesture of agreement. Having completely wiped out the group of twenty demonic humans, we resumed our march. According to the accounts gathered during our journey, the span separating us from the location of the Moyong Clan was supposed to be trivial…… yet for some reason, the terrain before us failed to align with the details they had provided.

“**Do-gwang-su**.”

“*Eh*, yes?”

“Did you not assert that you had traveled this exact path before?”

I unrolled the parchment of the treasure chart.

“As I informed you previously, that treasure chart possesses absolutely no practical value here.”

“Then by what means do we navigate this sector?”

“Yes? Why are you directing such an inquiry to me……”

“If you are incapable of offering even this modicum of assistance, what purpose does it serve for me to escort you through these dangers?”

“……!”

**Do-gwang-su** stared blankly, looking exactly like a man who had only just comprehended that he had been completely deceived. Nevertheless, he did not voice a solitary word of protest. Instead, he desperately racked his brains, clutching his head in a frantic bid to devise a solution. As anticipated, he was far from a foolish individual.

*‘Excellent.’*

Witnessing this unexpected grit from him carries a rather refreshing sentiment.

“Tha—then I, I shall attempt to guide our path.”

“Indeed, that is a commendable mindset.”

“In—return, you must give me your absolute word to keep me safe.”

“Provided you successfully navigate the route.”

“……”

Despite having conceded that studying the treasure chart was an exercise in futility, **Do-gwang-su** refused to relinquish the parchment. Rather, he scrutinized it with redoubled intensity, as if attempting to extract some primitive sense of orientation from its lines.

“Ah, it returns to me now. This is indeed an area I have traversed. I shall lead the way.”

Once he had re-anchored his sense of direction to a certain degree, our progression became remarkably fluid and swift.

“I recognize this cavern clearly. For this was the precise location where I first began to harvest the local moss……”

Undeniably, there were countless segments that deviated sharply from the records detailed on the treasure chart.

“*Ah*! I—I crossed paths with exceptionally malicious and lowborn scoundrels in this very spot and narrowly escaped with my life……”

“**Do-gwang-su**. Do we appear to possess the abundant leisure required to indulge in your personal chronicles of adventure at this moment?”

“……*Ah*, my deepest apologies. We are virtually at the threshold.”

At **Do-gwang-su**’s pronouncement that our destination was close at hand, a sudden, icy weight settled deep in my chest. Would I be greeted by a lifeless form, precisely as **Yong-so-a** had portended? Or—

*‘Will her breath still linger.’*

I gave my head a firm shake, forcing the dark contemplations to disperse. No matter what reality awaited us, the paramount truth was that I would finally come face-to-face with **Moyong-seol** in this place.

“Traversing past this hollow…… and executing a right turn at this corridor……”

The voice of **Do-gwang-su**, which had briefly drifted ahead, rang out with absolute clarity once more.

“……Yes! This is precisely the location!”

**Do-gwang-su** extended his arm fully, gesturing toward the path branching to the right. As we collectively shifted our focus along the line of his hand—

“*Eh*……”

“*Mmm*……?”

Uttering nothing but a faint, perplexed murmur, none of us could find the words to speak for a long time.